Independent participatory media for Iran

Iranian state security forces attacked and arrested a number of people attending a memorial service held for Sattar Beheshti, the jailed blogger who died within a week of his arrest by the cyber police.

HRANA reports that relatives and and other attendees were beaten and arrested at the memorial service for Sattar Beheshti, held at the Robat Karim Mohammad Taghi Shrine on December 13, the fortieth day of his passing.

The report indicates that when the participants were invited by Beheshti’s mother and sister to gather at their home following the ceremony, security and plainclothes forces began beating and arresting people.

The report adds that Beheshti’s mother was badly beaten, and his brother was held by security forces for two hours.

Sattar Beheshti was arrested on October 30 for running a blog reflecting his critical views of the government. A week later, his family was informed that he had died in custody.

The blogger’s death in prison triggered widespread outrage. His fellow inmates issued statements testifying that he bore severe signs of torture and was afraid for his life when he was last taken for interrogation. Parliament began a probe into his death and has so far confirmed that signs of torture were found on his remains; however, the coroner has refused to link his death to torture.

The judiciary has announced that three officials have been arrested in connection with Beheshti’s death; however, the victim’s lawyer has expressed concern in recent days that their cases have not been forwarded to court.

Beheshti’s mother and sister insist that the deceased blogger was in perfect health at the time of his arrest and, therefore, must have died as a result of his treatment in custody.